Thiazolyl urea derivatives and their utilization as antiviral agents

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to thiazolylurea derivatives, a process for their preparation, and their use as pharmaceuticals, in particular as antiviral pharmaceuticals.

This application is a 371 of PCT/EP00/01498 filed Feb. 24, 2000.

The present invention relates to thiazolylurea derivatives, a process for their preparation, and their use as pharmaceuticals, in particular as antiviral pharmaceuticals.

The publication by C. Ziegler et al., J. Org. Chem. 25, 1960, 1454-1455 discloses 2-aminothiazole-5-sulphonamides. In addition, Gennan Offenlegungsschrift 2101640 describes N-thiazol-2-ylamides and -ureas with a herbicidal action.

WO 97/24343 relates to phenylthiazole derivatives with anti-herpes virus properties.

WO 99/42455 likewise relates to phenylthiazole derivatives with anti-herpes virus properties.

WO 99/47507 relates to 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives with anti-herpes virus properties.

The present invention relates to thiazolylurea derivatives of the general formula (I)

in which

R¹ represents hydrogen, halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, amino(C₁-C₆)alkyl or halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkyl,

R² and R³ are identical or different and represent hydroten, (C₃-C₈)-cycloalkyl or biphenylylaminocarbonyl, or

represent (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, halogen, hydroxyl, radicals of the formula

a 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocycle with up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, it also being possible for a nitrogen-containing heterocycle to be bonded via the nitrogen atom,

a 3- to 8-membered saturated or unsaturated, nonaromatic heterocycle which has up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O and is optionally bonded via a nitrogen atom, and (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl which in turn may be substituted by hydroxyl or (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, or

R² and R³ form, together with the nitrogen atom, a 5- to 6-membered saturated heterocycle which may optionally also have an oxygen atom,

R⁴ represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-acyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, or

R⁴ represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which can optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-acyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, phenoxy (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and —NR⁷R⁸,

in which R⁷ and R⁸ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-acyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino(C₁-C₆)alkyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)-alkyl-aminocarbonyl, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl or (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, or R⁷ and R⁸ form, together with the nitrogen atom, a 5- to 6-membered saturated heterocycle which may optionally contain another heteroatom from the series S or O or a radical of the formula —NR⁹ and may be substituted by oxo,

in which R⁹ denotes hydrogen or (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, or

R⁴ represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is substituted by a 5- to 6-membered aromatic, optionally benzo-fused heterocycle with up to 3 heteroatoms in the series S, N and/or O, it also being possible for a nitrogen-containing heterocycle to be bonded via the nitrogen atom, or is substituted by radicals of the formulae

 in which

R¹⁰ denotes hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl,

R¹¹ and R¹² are identical or different and denote hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl, it being possible for the aforementioned (C₁-C₆)-alkyl and (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl optionally to be substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy and halogen,

R⁵ represents hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl,

R⁶ represents a radical of the formula

or

R⁶ represents phenyl which can optionally be substituted by one to three substituents selected from the group consisting of

halogen, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl which can optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from (C₁-C₆)alkanoyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, (C₁-C₆)alkoxycarbonyl, nitro, halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkyl, halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, amino, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio, hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)alkylaminocarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)acylamino, (C₁-C₆)alkylsulphinyl, (C₁-C₆)alkylsulphonyl, and/or cyano, or (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylthio, hydroxyl, carboxyl, partially fluorinated (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy with up to 6 fluorine atoms,

radicals of the formulae

 in which R¹³ denotes hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl,

(C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is optionally substituted by a radical of the formula

a 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocycle which has up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, is optionally bonded via a nitrogen atom and can optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from (C₁-C₆)alkanoyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, (C₁-C₆)alkoxycarbonyl, nitro, halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkyl, halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, amino, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio, hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)alkylaminocarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)acylamino, (C₁-C₆)alkylsulphinyl, (C₁-C₆)alkylsulphonyl, and/or cyano,

a 3- to 8-membered saturated or unsaturated, nonaromatic mono- or bicyclic heterocycle which has up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, is optionally bonded via a nitrogen atom and may optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from oxo, halogen, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonylamino, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogeno(C₁-C₆)-alkyl and hydroxy(C₁-C₆)-alkyl,

and groups of the formulae —OR¹⁴, —NR¹⁵R¹⁶ or —CO—NR¹⁷R¹⁸,

 in which

R¹⁴ denotes a radical of the formula

or denotes phenyl which in turn is optionally substituted by a group of the formula —NR¹⁹R²⁰,

 in which

R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or (C₁-C₆)-acyl,

or

R¹⁴ denotes (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is optionally substituted once to three times by hydroxyl,

R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)alkylaminocarbonyl, phenyl, (C₁-C₆)-acyl or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl,

where (C₁-C₆)-alkyl is optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-acyl, by phenyl or by a 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocycle with up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O,

where aforementioned phenyl and aforementioned aromatic heterocycle are optionally substituted once to three times, identically or differently, by halogen and/or hydroxyl, and

R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ are identical or different and denote hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl,

and the salts thereof.

Physiologically acceptable salts of the compounds according to the invention may be salts of the substances according to the invention with mineral acids, carboxylic acids or sulphonic acids. Particularly preferred examples are salts with hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, methanesulphonic acid, ethanesulphonic acid, toluenesulphonic acid, benzenesulphonic acid, naphthalenedisulphonic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid or benzoic acid.

Salts which may be mentioned are salts with conventional bases, such as, for example, alkali metal salts (for example sodium or potassium salts), alkaline earth metal salts (for example calcium or magnesium salts) or ammonium salts derived from ammonia or organic amines such as, for example, diethylamine, triethylamine, ethyldiisopropylamine, procaine, dibenzylamine, N-methylmorpholine, dihydroabietylamine, 1-ephenamine or methylpiperidine.

The invention also includes within its scope those compounds which are converted only in the body into the actual active substances of the formula (I) (called prodrugs).

The compounds according to the invention may, depending on the substitution pattern, exist in stereoisomeric forms which are either related as image and mirror image (enantiomers) or which are not related as image and mirror image (diastereomers). The invention relates both to the enantiomers or diastereomers or mixtures thereof in each case. The racemic forms can, just like the diastereomers, be separated into the stereoisomerically homogeneous components in a known manner.

(C₁-C₆)-Alkyl represents a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical with 1 to 6 carbon atoms. A straight-chain or branched alkyl radical with 1 to 4 carbon atoms (C₁-C₄) is preferred. Examples which may be mentioned are: methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl and n-hexyl. A straight-chain or branched alkyl radical with 1 to 3 carbon atoms (C₁-C₃)alkyl) is particularly preferred.

Halogeno(C₁-C₆)-alkyl represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl group which may be defined as above and which has 1 to 3 halogen atoms, namely F, Cl, Br and/or I, preferably chlorine or fluorine, as substituents; examples which may be mentioned are trifluoromethyl, fluoromethyl, etc.

Hydroxy(C₁-C₆)-alkyl represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl group which may be defined as above and which has 1 to 3 hydroxyl groups as substituents; examples which may be mentioned are hydroxymethyl etc.

(C₂-C₆)-Alkenyl represents for the purposes of the invention a straight-chain or branched alkenyl radical with 2 to 6 carbon atoms. Examples which may be mentioned are: ethenyl, n-prop-2-en-1-yl and n-but-2-en-1-yl. A straight-chain or branched alkenyl radical with 2 to 4 carbon atoms is preferred.

(C₁-C₆)-Alkoxy represents a straight-chain or branched alkoxy radical with 1 to 6 carbon atoms. A straight-chain or branched alkoxy radical with 1 to 4 carbon atoms (C₁-C₄) is preferred. Examples which may be mentioned are: methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, tert-butoxy and n-pentoxy and n-hexoxy. A straight-chain or branched alkoxy radical with 1 to 3 carbon atoms (C₁-C₃) is particularly preferred.

Partially fluorinated (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy with up to 6 fluorine atoms represents a straight-chain or branched alkoxy radical which has 1 to 6 carbon atoms and which may be substituted by 1 to 6, preferably 1 to 4, more preferably 1 to 3, fluorine atoms. A straight-chain or branched alkoxy radical with 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 4 fluorine atoms is preferred. Examples which may be mentioned are: methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, tert-butoxy, n-pentoxy and n-hexoxy, each of which has 1 to 4 fluorine atoms. (1,3-Difluoroprop-2-yl)oxy and 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy are particularly preferred.

(C₁-C₆)-Alkylthio represents a straight-chain or branched alkylthio radical with 1 to 6 carbon atoms. A straight-chain or branched alkylthio radical with 1 to 4 carbon atoms (C₁-C₄) is preferred. Examples which may be mentioned are: methylthio, ethylthio, n-propylthio, isopropylthio, tert-butylthio, n-pentylthio and n-hexylthio. A straight-chain or branched alkylthio radical with 1 to 3 carbon atoms (C₁-C₃)alkylthio is particularly preferred.

(C₁-C₆)-Alkoxycarbonyl represents a straight-chain or branched alkoxycarbonyl radical with 1 to 6 carbon atoms. A straight-chain or branched alkoxycarbonyl radical with 1 to 4 carbon atoms (C₁-C₄) is preferred. Examples which may be mentioned are: methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, n-propoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl and tert-butoxycarbonyl. A straight-chain or branched alkoxycarbonyl radical with 1 to 3 carbon atoms (C₁-C₃) is particularly preferred.

Mono- or di(C₁-C₆)alkylaminocarbonyl represents for the purposes of the invention expediently a carbamoyl group (H₂N—CO—) in which one or both hydrogen atoms are replaced by a (C₁-C₆)alkyl group. Concerning the definition of the (C₁-C₆)alkyl group, reference may be made to the above explanation of (C₁-C₆)alkyl. Examples which may be mentioned are methylaminocarbonyl, dimethylaminocarbonyl etc.

Mono- or di-(C₁-C₆)acylamino represents for the purposes of the invention expediently an amino group (H₂N—) in which one or both hydrogen atoms are replaced by a (C₁-C₆)acyl group. Concerning the definition of the (C₁-C₆)acyl group, reference may be made to the explanation of (C₁-C₆)acyl below. Examples which may be mentioned are (C₁-C₆)alkanoyl as mentioned in the definition of (C₁-C₆)acyl.

(C₁-C₆)Alkylsulphinyl expediently represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl-S(═O) group and, concerning the (C₁-C₆)alkyl group, reference may be made to the definition concerning this above.

(C₁-C₆)Alkylsulphonyl expediently represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl-SO₂ group and, concerning the (C₁-C₆)alkyl group, reference may be made to the definition concerning this above.

(C₆-C₁₀)-Aryl generally represents an aromatic radical with 6 to 10 carbon atoms. Preferred aryl radicals are phenyl and naphthyl.

(C₁-C₆)-Acyl represents for the purposes of the invention expediently a straight-chain or branched acyl radical with 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Examples which may be mentioned are: formyl, acetyl, ethylcarbonyl, propylcarbonyl, isopropylcarbonyl, butylcarbonyl, isobutylcarbonyl, pentylcarbonyl and hexylcarbonyl. A straight-chain or branched acyl radical with 1 to 4 carbon atoms is preferred. Acetyl and ethylcarbonyl are particularly preferred.

(C₃-C₈)-Cycloalkyl represents for the purposes of the invention expediently cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclobutyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl or cyclooctyl. Those which may preferably be mentioned are: cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl. The meaning of (C₃-C₆)cycloalkyl accordingly expediently represents cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclobutyl, cyclohexyl.

Halogen generally represents for the purposes of the invention fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine. Fluorine, chlorine and bromine are preferred. Fluorine and chlorine are particularly preferred.

A 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocycle with up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, O and/or N represents, for example, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, thienyl, furyl, pyrrolyl, thiazolyl, N-triazolyl, oxazolyl or imidazolyl. Pyridyl, furyl, thiazolyl and N-triazolyl are preferred.

A 5- to 6-membered aromatic benzo-fused heterocycle with up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, O and/or N represents, for example, benzimidazolyl.

A 5- to 6-membered saturated heterocycle which is bonded via a nitrogen atom, which can be formed from two substituent groups together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, and which may optionally contain another heteroatom from the series S or O or a radical of the formula —NR⁹ in which R⁹ is as defined above, generally represents for the purposes of the invention morpholinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, methylpiperazinyl, thiomorpholinyl or pyrrolidinyl. Morpholinyl, piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl and thiomorpholinyl are particularly preferred.

A 3- to 8-membered saturated or unsaturated, nonaromatic heterocycle which is optionally bonded via a nitrogen atom and which has up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O includes, for example, the abovementioned 5- to 6-membered saturated heterocycles which are bonded via a nitrogen atom, as well as 3-, 7- and 8-membered heterocycles such as, for example, aziridines (for example 1-azacyclopropan-1-yl), azetidines (for example 1-azacyclobutan-1-yl) and azepines (for example 1-azepan-1-yl). The unsaturated representatives may contain 1 to 2 double bonds in the ring.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to compounds of the general formula (I) in which

R⁶ represents phenyl which may optionally be substituted by one to three substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl which can optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from (C₁-C₆)alkanoyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, (C₁-C₆)alkoxycarbonyl, nitro, halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkyl, halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, amino, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio, hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)alkylaminocarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)acylamino, (C₁-C₆)alkylsulphinyl, (C₁-C₆)alkylsulphonyl, and/or cyano, or of (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylthio, hydroxyl, carboxyl, partially fluorinated (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy with up to 6 fluorine atoms, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, a 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocycle which has up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, is optionally bonded via a nitrogen atom and may optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from (C₁-C₆)alkanoyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, (C₁-C₆)alkoxycarbonyl, nitro, halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkyl, halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, amino, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio, hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)alkylaminocarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)acylamino, (C₁-C₆)alkylsulphinyl, (C₁-C₆)alkylsulphonyl, and/or cyano, or of a 3to 8-membered saturated or unsaturated, nonaromatic, mono- or bicyclic heterocycle which has up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, is optionally bonded via a nitrogen atom and can optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from oxo, halogen, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonylamino, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogeno(C₁-C₆)-alkyl and hydroxy(C₁-C₆)-alkyl,

and groups of the formulae —OR¹⁴, —NR¹⁵R¹⁶ or —CO—NR¹⁷R¹⁸,

in which R¹⁴ is phenyl, which in turn is optionally substituted by a group of the formula —NR¹⁹R²⁰,

 in which

R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or (C₁-C₆)-acyl,

or

R¹⁴ denotes (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is optionally substituted once to three times by hydroxyl,

R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)alkylaminocarbonyl, phenyl, (C₁-C₆)-acyl or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl,

where (C₁-C₆)-alkyl is optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-acyl, by phenyl or by a 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocycle with up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O,

where aforementioned phenyl and aforementioned aromatic heterocycle are optionally substituted once to three times, identically or differently, by halogen and/or hydroxyl, and

R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ are identical or different and denote hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl,

and the salts thereof.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention relates to compounds of the general formula (I) in which

R⁶ represents phenyl which may optionally be substituted by one to three substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl which may optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from (C₁-C₆)alkanoyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, (C₁-C₆)alkoxycarbonyl, nitro, halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkyl, halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, amino, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio, hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)alkylaminocarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)acylamino, (C₁-C₆)alkylsulphinyl, (C₁-C₆)alkylsulphonyl, and/or cyano, or (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylthio, hydroxyl, carboxyl, partially fluorinated (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy with up to 6 fluorine atoms and (C₁-C₆)-alkyl,

and the salts thereof.

In another embodiment, the invention relates to compounds of the formula (I), in which

R¹ represents hydrogen, halogen or represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl,

R² and R³ are identical or different and represent hydrogen or (C₃-C₈)-cycloalkyl, or

represent (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, halogen, hydroxyl, radicals of the formula

a 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocycle with up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, it also being possible for a nitrogen-containing heterocycle to be bonded via the nitrogen atom, and

(C₆-C₁₀)-aryl which in turn can be substituted by hydroxyl or (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, or

R² and R³ form, together with the nitrogen atom, a 5- to 6-membered saturated heterocycle which may optionally also have an oxygen atom,

R⁴ represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-acyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl or

R⁴ represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which can optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-acyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, phenoxy, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and —NR⁷R⁸,

in which R⁷ and R⁸ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-acyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)-alkylaminocarbonyl or (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, or R⁷ and R⁸ form, together with the nitrogen atom, a 5- to 6-membered saturated heterocycle which may optionally contain another heteroatom from the series S or O or a radical of the formula —NR⁹,

in which R⁹ denotes hydrogen or (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, or

R⁴ represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is substituted by a 5- to 6-membered aromatic, optionally benzo-fused heterocycle with up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, it being possible for a nitrogen-containing heterocycle also to be bonded via the nitrogen atom, or is substituted by radicals of the formulae

 in which

R¹⁰ denotes hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl,

R¹¹ and R¹² are identical or different and denote hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl, where aforementioned (C₁-C₆)-alkyl and

(C₆-C₁₀)-aryl can optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy and halogen,

R⁵ represents hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl,

R⁶ represents a radical of the formula

or

R⁶ represents phenyl which can optionally be substituted by one to two substituents selected from the group consisting of

halogen, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylthio, hydroxyl, carboxyl, partially fluorinated (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy with up to 6 fluorine atoms,

radicals of the formulae

 in which R¹³ denotes hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl,

(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, which is optionally substituted by a radical of the formula

a 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocycle which has up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, is optionally bonded via a nitrogen atom and can optionally be substituted by one to three halogen atoms,

a 3- to 8-membered, saturated or unsaturated, nonaromatic heterocycle which has up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, is optionally bonded via a nitrogen atom and can optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from oxo, halogen, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogeno(C₁-C₆)-alkyl and hydroxy(C₁-C₆)-alkyl,

and groups of the formulae —OR¹⁴, —NR¹⁵R¹⁶ or —CO—NR¹⁷R¹⁸,

 in which

R¹⁴ denotes a radical of the formula

or phenyl which in turn is optionally substituted by a group of the formula —NR¹⁹R²⁰,

 in which

R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or (C₁-C₆)-acyl,

or

R¹⁴ denotes (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is optionally substituted once to three times by hydroxyl,

R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)alkylaminocarbonyl, phenyl, (C₁-C₆)-acyl or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl,

where (C₁-C₆)-alkyl is optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-acyl, by phenyl or by a 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocycle with up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O,

where aforementioned phenyl and aforementioned aromatic heterocycle are optionally substituted once to three times, identically or differently, by halogen and/or hydroxyl, and

R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ are identical or different and denote hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl,

and the salts thereof.

Preference is given to compounds of the general formula (I), in which

R¹ represents hydrogen, chlorine or represents (C₁-C₃)-alkyl,

R² and R³ are identical or different and represent hydrogen or cyclopropyl or cyclopentyl, or

represent (C₁-C₃)-alkyl which is optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, (C₁-C₃)-alkoxy, chlorine, fluorine, hydroxyl, radicals of the formula

 and pyridyl, furyl, thienyl, imidazolyl, N-triazolyl or pyrrolyl, phenyl which in turn may be substituted by hydroxyl or (C₁-C₃)-alkoxy, or

R² and R³ form, together with the nitrogen atom, a morpholine, piperidine or pyrrolidine ring,

R⁴ represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₃)-acyl, (C₂-C₃)-alkenyl, or

R⁴ represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which can optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of chlorine, fluorine, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₃)-acyl, (C₁-C₃)-alkoxy, phenoxy, phenyl and —NR⁷R⁸,

in which R⁷ and R⁸ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, (C₁-C₄)-acyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₃)-alkylaminocarbonyl or (C₁-C₄)-alkoxycarbonyl, or R⁷ and R⁸ form, together with the nitrogen atom, a morpholino, piperidinyl or pyrrolidinyl ring, or

R⁴ represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is substituted by a 5- to 6-membered aromatic, optionally benzo-fused heterocycle with up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, it also being possible for a nitrogen-containing heterocycle to be bonded via the nitrogen atom, or is substituted by radicals of the formulae

 in which

R¹⁰ denotes hydrogen or (C₁-C₄)-alkyl,

R¹¹ and R¹² are identical or different and denote hydrogen, (C₁-C₃)-alkyl or phenyl, where aforementioned (C₁-C₃)-alkyl and phenyl can optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, (C₁-C₃)-alkoxy, chlorine and fluorine,

R⁵ represents hydrogen or (C₁-C₃)-alkyl,

R⁶ represents phenyl which may optionally be substituted by one to two substituents selected from the group consisting of

chlorine, fluorine, phenyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₃)-alkylthio, hydroxyl, carboxyl, partially fluorinated (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy with up to 5 fluorine atoms,

radicals of the formulae

 in which R¹³ denotes hydrogen or (C₁-C₃)-alkyl,

(C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is optionally substituted by a radical of the formula

triazolyl,

morpholino, thiomorpholino, piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, azacycloheptanyl, azacyclobutany, each of which may optionally be substituted by 1 to 2 substituents selected from oxo, chlorine, fluorine, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₃)-alkyl, chloro- or fluoro(C₁-C₃)-alkyl and hydroxy(C₁-C₄)-alkyl,

and groups of the formulae —OR¹⁴, —NR¹⁵R¹⁶ or —CO—NR¹⁷R¹⁸,

 in which

R¹⁴ denotes a radical of the formula

 or phenyl which is in turn optionally substituted by a group of the formula —NR¹⁹R²⁰,

 in which

R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, (C₁-C₃)-alkyl or (C₁-C₃)-acyl,

or

R¹⁴ denotes (C₁-C₄)-alkyl which is optionally substituted once to three times by hydroxyl,

R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₃)alkylaminocarbonyl, phenyl, (C₁-C₃)-acyl or (C₁-C₃)-alkyl, where (C₁-C₃)-alkyl is optionally substituted by (C₁-C₃)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₃)-acyl, by phenyl or pyridyl,

where aforementioned phenyl and aforementioned pyridyl are optionally substituted once to twice, identically or differently, by chlorine, fluorine and/or hydroxyl, and

R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ are identical or different and denote hydrogen or (C₁-C₄)-alkyl,

and the salts thereof.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, R⁵ in the compounds of the general formula (I) is hydrogen.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, R² and R³ in the compounds of the general formula (I) are hydrogen.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, R⁶ in the compounds of the general formula (I) is a para-substituted phenyl group which may optionally have another substituent. That is to say the compounds have the formula

in which

R¹ to R⁵ are each as defined above, and R²¹ represents:

halogen, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl which may optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from (C₁-C₆)alkanoyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, (C₁-C₆)alkoxycarbonyl, nitro, halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkyl, halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, amino, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio, hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)alkylaminocarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)acylamino, (C₁-C₆)alkylsulphinyl, (C₁-C₆)alkylsulphonyl, and/or cyano, or (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylthio, hydroxyl, carboxyl, partially fluorinated (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy with up to 6 fluorine atoms,

radicals of the formulae

 in which R¹³ denotes hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl,

(C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is optionally substituted by a radical of the formula

a 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocycle which has up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, is optionally bonded via a nitrogen atom and can optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from (C₁-C₆)alkanoyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, (C₁-C₆)alkoxycarbonyl, nitro, halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkyl, halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, amino, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio, hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)alkylaminocarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)acylamino, (C₁-C₆)alkylsulphinyl, (C₁-C₆)alkylsulphonyl, and/or cyano,

a 3- to 8-membered saturated or unsaturated, nonaromatic mono- or bicyclic heterocycle which has up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, is optionally bonded via a nitrogen atom and may optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from oxo, halogen, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoycarbonylamino, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogeno(C₁-C₆)-alkyl and hydroxy(C₁-C₆)-alkyl,

and groups of the formulae —OR¹⁴, —NR¹⁵R¹⁶ or —CO—NR¹⁷R¹⁸,

 in which

R¹⁴ denotes a radical of the formula

or denotes phenyl which in turn is optionally substituted by a group of the formula —NR¹⁹R²⁰,

 in which

R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or (C₁-C₆)-acyl,

or

R¹⁴ denotes (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is optionally substituted once to three times by hydroxyl,

R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)alkylaminocarbonyl, phenyl, (C₁-C₆)-acyl or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl,

where (C₁-C₆)-alkyl is optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-acyl, by phenyl or by a 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocycle with up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O,

where aforementioned phenyl and aforementioned aromatic heterocycle are optionally substituted once to three times, identically or differently, by halogen and/or hydroxyl, and

R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ are identical or different and denote hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, and salts thereof

R²² can in this case have the above meaning of R²¹ and be identical to or different from the latter, or may represent hydrogen, that is to say the phenyl radical is substituted only in the para position. R²² is preferably hydrogen.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention relates to compounds which have the following formula

in which

R¹ to R⁵ are as defined above and R²¹ represents

halogen, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylthio, hydroxyl, carboxyl, partially fluorinated (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy with up to 6 fluorine atoms,

radicals of the formulae

 in which R¹³ denotes hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl,

(C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is optionally substituted by a radical of the formula

a 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocycle which has up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, is optionally bonded via a nitrogen atom and may optionally be substituted by one to three halogen atoms,

a 3- to 8-membered saturated or unsaturated, nonaromatic heterocycle which has up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, is optionally bonded via a nitrogen atom and may optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from oxo, halogen, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogeno(C₁-C₆)-alkyl and hydroxy(C₁-C₆)-alkyl,

or represents groups of the formulae —OR¹⁴, —NR¹⁵R¹⁶ or —CO—NR¹⁷R¹⁸,

 in which

R¹⁴ denotes a radical of the formula

or denotes phenyl which in turn is optionally substituted by a group of the formula —NR¹⁹R²⁰,

 in which

R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or (C₁-C₆)-acyl,

or

R¹⁴ denotes (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is optionally substituted once to three times by hydroxyl,

R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)alkylaminocarbonyl, phenyl, (C₁-C₆)-acyl or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl,

where (C₁-C₆)-alkyl is optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-acyl, by phenyl or by a 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocycle with up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O,

where aforementioned phenyl and aforementioned aromatic heterocycle are optionally substituted once to three times, identically or differently, by halogen and/or hydroxyl, and

R¹⁷ and R¹⁵ are identical or different and denote hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, and

R²² may have the above meaning of R²¹ and may be identical to or different from the latter, or R²² is hydrogen.

R²² can in this case have the above meaning of R²¹ and be identical to or different from the latter, or may represent hydrogen, that is to say the phenyl radical is substituted only in the para position. R²² is preferably hydrogen.

R²¹ preferably represents phenyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy or a 3- to 8-membered saturated or unsaturated, nonaromatic heterocycle which has up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, is optionally bonded via a nitrogen atom and may optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from oxo, halogen, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogeno(C₁-C₆)-alkyl and hydroxy(C₁-C₆)-alkyl.

The invention further relates to intermediates for preparing the compounds of the general formula (I), which have the formula (II):

in which R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ have the meaning indicated above, and A represents a halogen atom.

A process for preparing the compounds according to the invention of the general formula (I) has additionally been found and is characterized in that

[A] compounds of the general formula (II)

 in which

R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ have the meaning indicated above, and

A represents halogen, preferably represents chlorine,

are reacted with amines of the general formula (III)

HNR⁵R⁶  (III)

 in which

R⁵ and R⁶ have the meaning indicated above,

in inert solvents, where appropriate in the presence of a base and/or aid, or

[B] isocyanates of the general formula (IV)

 R⁶—NCO  (IV)

 in which

R⁶ has the meaning indicated above,

are reacted with thiazolylamines of the general formula (V)

 in which

R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ have the meaning indicated above,

in inert solvents and, in the case where R⁵ is different from hydrogen, an alkylation is carried out by conventional processes.

The processes according to the invention can be illustrated by way of example by the following formula diagrams:

Suitable solvents for processes [A] and [B] are conventional organic solvents which are not changed under the reaction conditions. These preferably include ethers such as diethyl ether, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, glycol dimethyl ether, or hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene, hexane, cyclohexane or petroleum fractions, or halogenohydrocarbons such as dichloromethane, trichloromethane, tetrachloromethane, dichloroethylene, trichloroethylene or chlorobenzene, or ethyl acetate, dimethyl sulphoxide, dimethylformamide or acetonitrile. It is likewise possible to use mixtures of the solvents mentioned. Dioxane is preferred.

The bases which can be employed for process [A] according to the invention are in general inorganic or organic bases. These preferably include organic amines (trialkyl(C₁-C₆)amines) such as triethylamine, or heterocycles such as 1,4-diaza-bicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU), pyridine, diaminopyridine, methylpiperidine or morpholine. Triethylamine is preferred.

The base is generally employed in an amount of 0.05 mol to 10 mol, preferably of 1 mol to 2 mol, based on 1 mol of the compound of the formula (II).

The processes according to the invention are generally carried out in a temperature range from −50° C. to +100° C., preferably from −30° C. to +60° C.

The processes according to the invention are generally carried out under atmospheric pressure. However, it is also possible to carry out the process under elevated pressure or under reduced pressure (for example in a range from 0.5 to 5 bar).

The compounds of the general formula (II) are novel and can be prepared by compounds of the general formula (VI)

in which

R¹, R² and R³ have the meaning indicated above, and

D represents (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, preferably represents methyl, being converted initially by an alkylation with compounds of the general formula (VII)

R^(4′)—I  (VII)

 in which

R^(4′) has the meaning indicated above for R⁴ but does not represent hydrogen,

in inert solvents and in the presence of a base into the compounds of the general formula (VIII)

 in which

R¹, R², R³, R^(4′) and D have the meaning indicated above,

in another step by reaction with hydrochloric acid the compounds of the general formula (IX)

 in which

R¹, R², R³ and R^(4′) have the meaning indicated above,

being prepared and finally converted into ethers with trichloromethyl chloroformate.

Solvents suitable for the alkylation are conventional organic solvents which are not changed under the reaction conditions. These preferably include ethers such as diethyl ether, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, glycol dimethyl ether or hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene, hexane, cyclohexane or petroleum fractions or halogenohydrocarbons such as dichloromethane, trichloromethane, tetrachloromethane, dichloroethylene, trichloroethylene or chlorobenzene or ethyl acetate or triethylamine, pyridine, dimethyl sulphoxide, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, acetone or nitromethane. It is likewise possible to use mixtures of the solvents mentioned. Dichloromethane, dimethyl sulphoxide and dimethylformamide are preferred.

Bases which can be employed for the process according to the invention are in general inorganic or organic bases. These preferably include alkali metal hydroxides such as, for example, sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, alkaline earth metal hydroxides such as, for example, barium hydroxide, alkali metal carbonates, such as sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate or cesium carbonate, alkaline earth metal carbonates such as calcium carbonate, or alkali metal or alkaline earth metal alcoholates such as sodium or potassium methanolate, sodium or potassium ethanolate or potassium tert-butoxide, or organic amines (trialkyl(C₁-C₆)amines) such as triethylamine, or heterocycles such as 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU), pyridine, diaminopyridine, methylpiperidine or morpholine. It is also possible to employ alkali metals such as sodium or their hydrides such as sodium hydride as bases. Sodium hydride is preferred.

The alkylation generally takes place in one of the solvents listed above, preferably in dimethylformamide in a temperature range from 0° C. to +70° C., preferably from 0° C. to 30° C. and atmospheric pressure.

The base is generally employed in an amount of 0.05 mol to 10 mol, preferably of 1 mol to 2 mol, based on 1 mol of the compound of the formula (VI).

The compounds of the general formula (IX) are prepared at the reflux temperature under atmospheric pressure.

Solvents suitable for the reaction with trichloromethyl chloroformate are in general ethers such as diethyl ether, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran or glycol dimethyl ether. Dioxane is preferred.

The reaction of compounds of the general formula (IX) with trichloromethyl chloroformate takes place initially at room temperature and subsequently at the reflux temperature of the particular ether.

The reaction is generally carried out under atmospheric pressure. However, it is also possible to carry out the process under elevated pressure or under reduced pressure (for example in a range from 0.5 to 5 bar).

The compounds of the general formula (VI) are known per se [compare DE 748376] or can be prepared by the methods published therein.

The compounds of the general formula (VII) are known.

The compounds of the general formulae (VIII) and (IX) are novel and can be prepared as described above.

The compounds of the general formula (V) are novel and can be prepared, for example, by

compounds of the general formula (X)

 in which

R¹ has the meaning indicated above,

being converted by reaction with the chlorosulphonic acid/SOCl₂ system into the compounds of the general formula (XI)

 in which

R¹ has the meaning indicated above,

subsequently using amines of the general formula (XII)

HNR²R³  (XII)

 in which

R² and R³ have the meaning indicated above,

in inert solvents to prepare the compounds of the general formula (XIII)

 in which

R¹, R² and R³ have the meaning indicated above,

and in a final step carrying out a reaction with amines of the general formula (XIV)

H₂N—R^(4″)  (XIV)

 in which

R^(4″) has the meaning indicated above for R^(4′) and is identical to or different from the latter,

in inert solvents and in the presence of a base.

The reaction with chlorosulphonic acid/SOCl₂ takes place initially at room temperature and subsequently at the reflux temperature of the particular ether.

The reaction is generally carried out under atmospheric pressure. However, it is also possible to carry out the process under elevated pressure or under reduced pressure (for example in a range from 0.5 to 5 bar).

Solvents suitable for the reaction with amines of the general formula (XII) are alcohols such as, for example, methanol, ethanol, propanol and isopropanol. Methanol is preferred.

The reaction with the amines of the general formula (XIII) takes place initially at room temperature and subsequently at the reflux temperature of the particular ether.

The reaction is generally carried out under atmospheric atmospheric. However, it is also possible to carry out the process under elevated pressure or under reduced pressure (for example in a range from 0.5 to 5 bar).

The reaction with the compounds of the general formula (XIV) takes place in ethers such as, for example, diethyl ether, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran or glycol dimethyl ether. Dioxane is preferred.

Bases which can be employed are in general inorganic or organic bases. These preferably include organic amines (trialkyl(C₁-C₆)amines) such as triethylamine, or heterocycles such as 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), 1,8-diazabicyclo-[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU), pyridine, diaminopyridine, methylpiperidine or morpholine. Triethylamine is preferred.

The base is generally employed in an amount of 0.05 mol to 10 mol, preferably of 1 mol to 2 mol, based on 1 mol of the compound of the formula (XIII).

The compounds of the general formula (X) are in some cases known or can be prepared by conventional methods [compare Hantzsch, Chem. Ber. 1927, 60, 2544].

The compounds of the general formula (XI) and (XIII) are novel and can be prepared as described above.

The amines of the general formulae (XII) and (XIV) are known.

The compounds of the general formulae (III) and (IV) are disclosed in the literature.

Biphenylylamine derivatives of the formula (III) from which it is possible also to prepare the corresponding isocyanates (IV) can be prepared by known transition metal-catalysed coupling reactions such as, for example, the Suzuki or Stille coupling. The following reaction diagram illustrates by way of example the synthesis of a biphenylylamine derivative by the palladium-catalysed Suzuki coupling reaction, which is known per se, of a halogenoaromatic compound with the respective boronic acid.

The pyridylphenylamine derivatives of the formula (III) are disclosed in the literature.

The invention further relates to the use of the 2-[(aminocarbonyl)amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-sulphonamide derivatives for preparing pharmaceuticals. 2-[(Aminocarbonyl)amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-sulphonamide derivatives are compounds derived from 2-[(aminocarbonyl)amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-sulphonamide by replacement of one or more hydrogen atoms. The 2-[(aminocarbonyl)amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-sulphonamide derivatives are preferably used to produce compositions for the treatment and/or prevention of viral infections in humans or animals, particularly preferably to produce compositions for the treatment and/or prevention of infections in humans or animals by herpes viruses.

The compounds according to the invention of the general formulae (I etc.) show a surprising range of effects which could not have been predicted. They show an antiviral effect on representatives of the Herpesyiridae group, in particular on herpes simplex viruses (HSV). They are thus suitable for the treatment and prophylaxis of disorders caused by herpes viruses, in particular disorders caused by herpes simplex viruses in humans or animals.

In Vitro Activity

Virus and Cells

HSV (HSV-1 Walki, HSV-1F or HSV-2G) was replicated on Vero cells (ATCC CCL-81) under the following conditions: the cells were grown in M199 medium (5% fetal calf serum, 2 mM glutamine, 100 IU/ml penicillin, 100 μg/ml streptomycin) in cell culture bottles at 37° C. and 5% CO₂. The cells were split 1:4 on each of two occasions each week. For the infection, the medium was removed, and the cells were washed with Hank's solution, detached with 0.05% trypsin, 0.02% EDTA (Seromed L2143) and incubated at a density of 4×10⁵ cells per ml under the conditions mentioned above for 24 hours. The medium was then removed, and the virus solution was added at an m.o.i. of <0.05 in a volume of 2 ml per 175 cm² of surface area. After incubation under the conditions mentioned for one hour, the medium was made up to a volume of 50 ml per 175 cm² bottle. 3 days after the infection the cultures showed clear signs of a cytopathic effect. The virus was released by freezing (−80° C.) and thawing (37° C.) twice. The cell debris was removed by centrifugation (300 g, 10 min, 4° C.) and the supernatant was frozen in aliquots at −80° C.

The virus titre was determined by a plaque assay. For this purpose, Vero cells were seeded in a density of 4×10⁵ cells per well in 24-well plates and, after incubation (37° C., 5% CO₂) for 24 hours, infected with dilutions of the virus stock of from 10⁻² to 10⁻¹² (100 μl inoculum). 1 hour after the infection, the medium was removed and the cells were covered with 1 ml of overlay medium (0.5% methylcellulose, 0.225 M sodium bicarbonate, 2 mM glutamine, 100 IU/ml penicillin, 100 μg/ml streptomycin, 5% fetal calf serum in MEM Eagle Medium with Earles Salts) and incubated for 3 days. The cells were subsequently fixed with 4% formalin for 1 hour, washed with water, stained with Giemsa (Merck) for 30 min and subsequently washed and dried. The virus titre was determined using a plaque viewer. The virus stocks used for the experiments had a titre of 1×10⁶/ml-1×10⁸/ml.

The anti-HSV effect was determined in a screening test system in 96-well microtitre plates with the assistance of various cell lines of neuronal, lymphoid and epithelial origin, such as, for example, Vero (African green monkey kidney cell line), MEF (murine embryonic fibroblasts), HELF (human embryonic fibroblasts), NT2 (human neuronal cell line) or Jurkat (human lymphoid T-cell line). The effect of the substances on the extent of the cytopathogenic effect was determined by comparison with the reference substance aciclovir sodium (Zovirax^(R)), a clinically approved anti-herpes chemotherapeutic agent.

The substances dissolved (50 mM) in DMSO (dimethyl sulphoxide) are investigated on microtitre plates (for example 96-well MTP) in final concentrations of 250-0.5 μM (micromolar) in duplicate determinations (4 substances/plate). For potent substances, the dilutions are continued over several plates as far as 0.5 pM (picomolar). Toxic and cytostatic effects of the substance are also recorded. After the appropriate dilutions of the substance (1:2) on the microtitre plate, a suspension of cells (1×10⁴ cells per well) such as, for example, Vero cells in M199 (medium 199) with 5% fetal calf serum, 2 mM glutamine and optionally 100 IU/ml penicillin and 100 μg/ml streptomycin or MEF cells in EMEM (Eagle's minimum essential medium) with 10% fetal calf serum, 2 mM glutamine and optionally 100 IU/ml penicillin and 100 μg/ml streptomycin, or HELF cells in EMEM with 10% fetal calf serum, 2 mM glutamine and optionally 100 IU/ml penicillin and 100 μg/ml streptomycin, or NT2 and Jurkat cells in DMEM (4.5 mg/l glucose plus pyridoxine) with 10% fetal calf serum, 2 mM glutamine, 1 mM sodium pyruvate, nonessential amino acids and optionally 100 IU/ml penicillin and 100 μg/ml streptomycin is put in each well, and the cells in the relevant wells are infected with an appropriate amount of virus (HSV-1 F or HSV-2 G with an m.o.i (multiplicity of infection) of 0.0025 for HELF, Vero and MEF cells and with an m.o.i of 0.1 for NT2 and Jurkat cells). The plates are then incubated at 37° C. in a CO₂ incubator (5% CO₂) for several days. After this time, the cell lawn of, for example, Vero cells in the substance-free virus controls, starting from 25 infectious centres, is completely lysed or destroyed (100% CPE) by the cytopathogenic effect of the HSV viruses. The plates are initially evaluated optically using a microscope and then analysed with a fluorescent dye. For this purpose, the cell culture supernatant is aspirated out of all the wells of the MTP and charged with 200 μl of PBS washing solution. The PBS is in turn aspirated out, and all the wells are charged with 200 μl of fluorescent dye solution (fluorescein diacetate, 10 μg/ml in PBS). After an incubation time of 30-90 min, the test plates are measured in a fluorimeter at an excitation wavelength of 485 nm and an emission wavelength of 538 nm.

The results for some compounds are summarized in the following table:

TABLE Example IC₅₀ HSV-1 F/Vero IC₅₀ HSV-2 G/Vero 43 0.5 μM 1.5 μM 123  1 nM 5 nM 94 20 nM 50 nM  2 0.2 μM 1 μM Zovirax 1 μM 3 μM (Aciclovir sodium)

IC₅₀ here means the half-maximum fluorescence intensity in relation to the uninfected cell control.

The 2-[(aminocarbonyl)amino]-1,3-thiazole-5-sulphonamide derivatives of the invention preferably have an IC₅₀ of less than 50 μM, preferably of less than 25 μM and very particularly preferably of less than 10 μM.

The compounds according to the invention thus represent valuable active substances for the treatment and prophylaxis of disorders caused by herpes virus, in particular herpes simplex virus. Areas of indication which may be mentioned by way of example are:

1) Treatment and prophylaxis of herpes infections, in particular herpes simplex infections, in patients with pathological states such as herpes labialis, herpes genitalis, and HSV-related keratitis, encephalitis, pneumonia, hepatitis etc.

2) Treatment and prophylaxis of herpes infections, in particular herpes simplex infections, in immunosuppressed patients (for example AIDS patients, cancer patients, patients with genetically related immunodeficiency, transplant patients)

3) Treatment and prophylaxis of herpes infections, in particular herpes simplex infections, in neonates and infants

4) Treatment and prophylaxis of herpes infections, in particular herpes simplex infections, in patients positive for herpes, and in particular for herpes simplex, to suppress recurrence (suppression therapy)

In Vivo Effect

Animals

6-week old female mice, strain BALB/cABom, were purchased from a commerical breeder (Bomholtgard Breeding and Research Centre Ltd.).

Infection

The animals were anaesthetized with diethyl ether (Merck) in a sealed glass vessel. 50 μl of a dilution of the virus stock (infectious dose 5×10⁴ pfu) were introduced into the nose of the anaesthetized animals with an Eppendorf pipette. This infectious dose leads to death of 90-100% of the animals after an average of between 5 and 8 days due to a generalized infection with prominent respiratory and central nervous symptoms.

Treatment and Evaluation

6 hours after the infection, the animals were treated with doses of 0.1-100 mg/kg of body weight 3 times a day at 7.00 h, 14.00 h and 19 h over a period of 5 days. The substances were dissolved in DMSO and resuspended in Tylose/PBS (Hoechst) (final concentration 1.5% DMSO, 0.5% Tylose in PBS).

After the last administration, the animals were observed further and the times of death were recorded.

A comparison of the graphs of survival revealed that the compound of Example 43, for example, has an ED₅₀ of 30-40 mg/kg, where ED₅₀ means that 50% of the animals survive at this dose.

The novel active substances can be converted in a known manner into conventional formulations such as tablets, coated tablets, pills, granules, aerosols, syrups, emulsions, suspensions and solutions using inert, nontoxic, pharmaceutically suitable carriers and solvents. In these, the therapeutically active compound should in each case be present in a concentration of about 0.5 to 90% by weight of the complete mixture, that is to say in amounts which suffice to reach the dosage range indicated.

The formulations are produced, for example, by extending the active substances with solvents and/or carriers, where appropriate with use of emulsifiers and/or dispersants, it being possible for example in the case of use of water as diluent where appropriate to use organic solvents as auxiliary solvents.

Administration takes place in a conventional way, preferably orally, parenterally or topically, in particular perlingually or intravenously.

In the case of parenteral administration, solutions of the active substance using suitable liquid carrier materials can be employed.

It has generally proved advantageous in order to achieve effective results to administer amounts of about 0.001 to 20 mg/kg, preferably about 0.01 to 10 mg/kg of body weight on intravenous administration, and the dosage on oral administration is about 0.01 to 30 mg/kg, preferably 0.1 to 20 mg/kg of body weight.

It may, nevertheless, be necessary where appropriate to deviate from the amounts mentioned, in particular depending on the body weight and the nature of the administration route, on the individual behaviour and response to the medicament, the nature of the formulation and the time or interval over which administration takes place. Thus, in some cases, it may be sufficient to make do with less than the aforementioned minimum amount, where in other cases the upper limit mentioned must be exceeded. In the case of administration of larger amounts it may be advisable to divide these into a plurality of individual doses over the day.

It may, where appropriate, be worthwhile to combine the compounds according to the invention with other active substances.

Starting Compounds EXAMPLE I N-{5-[(Dimethylamino)sulphonyl]-4-methyl-1,3-thiazol-2-yl}-N-methylacetamide

6.0 g of sodium hydride (60% dispersion in mineral oil, 0.151 mol) were added dropwise at 0° C. to a solution of 36.2 g (0.137 mol) of N-{5-[(dimethylamino)-sulphonyl]-4-methyl-1,3-thiazol-2-yl}acetamide in dimethylformamide. Then 21.4 g (0.151 mol) of methyl iodide were added dropwise from a syringe. After TLC showed complete conversion, the mixture was quenched by adding a saturated ammonium chloride solution. The mixture was evaporated to dryness, and the residue was taken up with water, stirred for 16 h and filtered off. After the residue had been dried in vacuo it was further purified by chromotography on silica gel with toluene/ethyl acetate (15-66% ethyl acetate) as mobile phase. 31.0 g of a white powder were obtained (Rf=0.43 (toluene/ethyl acetate=1/2), yield 74%).

EXAMPLE II N,N,4-Trimethyl-2-(methylamino)-1,3-thiazole-5-sulphonamide

31 g (0.111 mol) of N-{5-[(Dimethylamino)sulphonyl]-4-methyl-1,3-thiazol-2-yl}-N-methylacetamide were suspended in 500 ml of 4N hydrochloric acid and heated to reflux until TLC (toluene/ethyl acetate 1/2) showed that the reaction was complete. The mixture was washed with dichloromethane, made basic by adding 20% strength sodium hydroxide solution and extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase was then dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated. The crude product was further purified by chromatography on silica gel with toluene/ethyl acetate (50-85% ethyl acetate) as mobile phase. After the solvent had been distilled off, 22.9 g of a solid were obtained. (Rf=0.37 (toluene/ethyl acetate=1/2), yield 87.7%)

EXAMPLE III 5-[(Dimethylamino)sulphonyl]-4-methyl-1,3-thiazol-2-yl(methyl)carbamoyl chloride

15.4 g (78 mmol) of trichloromethyl chloroformate (“diphosgene”) were added at room temperature to a solution of 22.9 g (97 mmol) of N,N,4-trimethyl-2-(methyl-amino)-1,3-thiazole-5-sulphonamide in 360 ml of dioxane, and the mixture was heated to reflux until a homogeneous solution was obtained, and TLC showed that no starting material remained. After removal of the solvent in vacuo, 29.0 g of the product were obtained in the form of an oil. (Yield 100%, NMR (CDCl₃): 3.89 (3H), 2.81 (6H), 2.62 (3H) ppm).

EXAMPLE IV 2-Chloro-4-methyl-1,3-thiazole-5-sulphonyl chloride

150 g (1.12 mol) of 2-chloro-4-methyl-1,3-thiazole are added dropwise at room temperature to a solution of 331 g (2.81 mmol) of thionyl chloride in 653 g (5.61 mmol) of chlorosulphonic acid. The solution is heated to reflux for 48 h. The mixture is then poured into 3 l of ice-water and extracted with 4×400 ml of dichloromethane. The combined organic phases are washed with 2.5 l of water, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated. Distillation of the crude product results in 233.7 g of product in the form of an oil. (Boiling point 87-96° C., 0.7 mbar, yield 89.6%).

EXAMPLE V 2-Chloro-N,4-dimethyl-1,3-thiazole-5-sulphonamide

177 ml of a solution of methylamine in methanol (2 M, 0.354 mol) are added at 0° C. to a solution of 41 g (0.177 mol) of 2-chloro-4-methyl-1,3-thiazole-5-sulphonyl chloride in 360 ml of dichloromethane. The mixture is stirred at 0° C. for 30 min, 1.8 l of water are added, and the mixture is extracted 5 times with 400 ml of dichloromethane each time. The combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulphate, and the solvent is distilled off. 39.93 g of an oil, which solidifies on standing, are obtained (Rf=0.43 (toluene/ethyl acetate=2/1), yield 99.7%)

EXAMPLE VI 2-{[2-(Dimethylamino)ethyl]amino}-N,4-dimethyl-1,3-thiazole-5-sulphonamide

A solution of 5.0 g (22.1 mmol) of 2-chloro-N,4-dimethyl-1,3-thiazole-5-sulphonamide, 2.92 g (33.1 mmol) of 2-N,N-dimethylaminoethylamine and 6.10 ml of triethylamine in 6.65 ml of dioxane is stirred at 100° C. for 16 h. Then 20 ml of water are added and the mixture is extracted with 3×100 ml of dichloromethane. The combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated. Chromotography of the crude product on silica gel with a mixture of chloroform and methanol as mobile phase (0-30% methanol) results in 3.05 g of an oil. (Rf=0.04 (chloroform/5% methanol), yield 49.7%).

Preparation Examples EXAMPLE 1 N,N,4-Trimethyl-2-{methyl[4-morpholinoanilinocarbonyl]amino}-1,3-thiazole-5-sulphonamide

12.0 g (40.3 mmol) of 5-[(dimethylamino)sulphonyl]-4-methyl-1,3-thiazol-2-yl(methyl)carbamoyl chloride and 4.08 g (40.3 mmol) of triethylamine were dissolved in 150 ml of dioxane, and 7.18 g (40.3 mmol) of 4-morpholinoaniline, dissolved in 60 ml of dioxane, were added dropwise. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 12 h, and the resulting precipitate was filtered off and dissolved in a dichloromethane/water (1:1) solvent mixture. The organic phase was separated off, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated in vacuo.

Yield: 12.4 g (70%)

Melting point: 191° C.

EXAMPLE 2 2-{[2-(Dimethylamino)ethyl][(4-ethoxyanilino)carbonyl]amino}-N,4-dimethyl-1,3-thiazole-5-sulphonamide

1.0 g (3.59 mmol) of 2-{[2-dimethylaminoethyl]amino}-N,4-dimethyl-1,3-thiazole-5-sulphonamide and 586 mg (3.59 mmol) of 4-ethoxyphenyl isocyanate are dissolved in 30 ml of dioxane and stirred at room temperature for 12 h. The mixture is then concentrated in vacuo, and the residue is recrystallized from 2-propanol.

Yield: 1.19 g (75%)

Melting point: 153° C.

The compounds listed in the following table are prepared analogously to the methods detailed above:

Ex. m.p. LC/MS Retention MS Molecular No. Structure [° C.] method time (M + H) weight Rf 3

197 4

5

6

7

8

196 9

210 10

215 11

163 12

232 13

225 14

203 15

168 16

194 17

194 18

220 19

164 20

140 21

22

23

228 24

132 25

183 26

183 27

190 28

241 29

240 30

168 31

170 32

183 33

201 34

127 35

219 36

206 37

196 38

168 39

198 40

216 41

42

188 43

218 44

176 45

199 46

0.17 (EP1) 47

171 48

179 49

235 50

161 51

204 52

163 53

156 54

172 55

148 56

147 57

187 58

180 59

188 60

173 61

184 62

162 63

170 64

156 65

0.54 (EP2) 66

162 67

171 68

168 69

163 70

168 71

178 72

160 73

147 74

152 75

134 76

154 77

164 78

130 79

177 80

145 81

141 82

178 83

200 84

164 85

164 86

198 87

137 88

154 89

192 90

0.50 (EP1) 91

0.22 (EP1) 92

0.41 (EP1) 93

0.57 (EP1) 94

0.66 (EP1) 95

0.06 (EP1) 96

158 97

130 98

169 99

181 100

154 101

179 102

0.21 (EP1) 103

0.55 (EP1) 104

0.65 (EP1) 105

161 106

158 107

196 108

188 109

178 110

206 111

197 112

188 113

159 114

115

116

117

208 118

205 119

217 120

0.18 (EP1) 121

0.16 (EP1) 122

156 123

210 124

198 125

212 126

161 127

210 128

164 129

150 130

194 131

158 132

162 133

0.30 (EP2) 134

143 135

161 136

150 137

SMKL- N1-1 4.58 621 620.7 138

146 139

SMKL- N1-1 4.63 607 606.7 140

150 141

190 142

146 143

 84 144

0.38 (EE) 145

0.02 (EE) 146

SMKL- N1-1 4.28 637 636.7 147

158 148

228 149

188 150

141 151

167 152

144 153

165 154

160 155

161 156

148 157

208 158

171 159

162 160

193 161

118 162

 188- 189 deco mp. 163

 153- 154 164

140 165

 208- 209 166

194 167

 184- 186 168

 185- 187 deco mp. 169

 162- 163 170

164 171

195 deco mp. 172

 192- 194 173

>225  174

185 175

 186- 187 176

 136- 137 177

 193- 195 178

185 179

 157- 160 deco mp. 180

198 181

178 182

148 183

>250  184

199 185

176 186

204 187

0.56 (EE) 188

177 189

0.70 (EE) 190

156 191

196 192

163 193

194

0.10 (EE) 195

193 196

188 197

137 198

148 199

178 200

205 201

200 202

 97 203

157 204

170 205

160 206

156 207

0.13 (EE) 208

209

0.38 (EE) 210

148 211

0.06 (EE) 212

0.31 (EE) 213

184 214

209 215

165 216

221 217

225 218

123 219

154 220

196 221

185 222

201 223

186 224

138 225

168 226

188 227

0.75 (EE) In the above table, the Rf means the retention index in the thin-layer chromotography on silica gel with the following mobile phases: EE: ethyl acetate EP1: ethyl acetate/petroleum ether (ratio 1:1 by volume), EP2: ethyl acetate/petroleum ether (ratio 2:1 by volume),

SMKL-N1-1 refers to the following LC-MS method:

Method: SMKL-N1-1 Low Vol HCl

MS apparatus type: Finnigan MAT 900S Ionization: ESI positive HPLC apparatus type: TSP: P4000,AS3000,UV3000HR Pump head: low volume Column: Symmetry C 18 150 mm × 2.1 mm 5 μm Supplier: Waters UV-Detector DAD: 210 nm Oven temp.: 40° C. Gradient: Time A:% B:% C:% D:% Flow 0 10.0 45 45 — 0.6 4 90  5  5 — 0.6 9 90  5  5 — 0.6 9.5 10.0 45 45 — 0.8 11.5 10.0 45 45 — 0.8 12 10.0 45 45 — 0.6 A: CH₃CN B: HCl 0.01N C: H₂O D: — 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound of the general formula (I),

in which R¹ represents hydrogen, halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, amino(C₁-C₆)alkyl or halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkyl, R² and R³ are identical or different and represent hydrogen, (C₃-C₈)-cycloalkyl or biphenylylaminocarbonyl, or represent (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, halogen, hydroxyl, radicals of the formula

a 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocycle with up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, it also being possible for a nitrogen-containing heterocycle to be bonded via the nitrogen atom, a 3- to 8-membered saturated or unsaturated, nonaromatic heterocycle which has up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O and is optionally bonded via a nitrogen atom, and (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl which in turn may be substituted by hydroxyl or (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, or R² and R³ form, together with the nitrogen atom, a 5- to 6-membered saturated heterocycle which optionally also has an oxygen atom, R⁴ represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-acyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, or R⁴ represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-acyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, phenoxy, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and —NR⁷R⁸, in which R⁷ and R⁸ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-acyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino(C₁-C₆)alkyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)-alkylaminocarbonyl, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl or (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, or R⁷ and R⁸ form, together with the nitrogen atom, a 5- to 6-membered saturated heterocycle which optionally contains another heteroatom from the series S or O or a radical of the formula —NR⁹ and may be substituted by oxo, in which R⁹ denotes hydrogen or (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, or R⁴ represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is substituted by a 5- to 6-membered aromatic, optionally benzo-fused heterocycle with up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, it also being possible for a nitrogen-containing heterocycle to be bonded via the nitrogen atom, or is substituted by radicals of the formulae

 in which R¹⁰ denotes hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, R¹¹ and R¹² are identical or different and denote hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl, said (C₁-C₆)-alkyl and (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy and halogen, R⁵ represents hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, R⁶ represents a radical of the formula

or R⁶ represents phenyl which is optionally substituted by one to three substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl which is optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from (C₁-C₆)alkanoyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, (C₁-C₆)alkoxycarbonyl, nitro, halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkyl, halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, amino, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio, hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)alkylaminocarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)acylamino, (C₁-C₆)alkylsulphinyl, (C₁-C₆)alkylsulphonyl, and/or cyano, or (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylthio, hydroxyl, carboxyl, partially fluorinated (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy with up to 6 fluorine atoms, radicals of the formulae

 in which R¹³ denotes hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is optionally substituted by a radical of the formula

a 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocycle which has up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, is optionally bonded via a nitrogen atom and is optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from (C₁-C₆)alkanoyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, (C₁-C₆)alkoxycarbonyl, nitro, halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkyl, halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, amino, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio, hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)alkylaminocarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)acylamino, (C₁-C₆)alkylsulphinyl, (C₁-C₆)alkylsulphonyl, and cyano, a 3- to 8-membered saturated or unsaturated, nonaromatic mono- or bicyclic heterocycle which has up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, is optionally bonded via a nitrogen atom and is optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from oxo, halogen, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)alkoxycarbonylamino, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogeno(C₁-C₆)-alkyl and hydroxy(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, and groups of the formulae —OR¹⁴, —NR¹⁵R¹⁶ or —CO—NR¹⁷R¹⁸,  in which R¹⁴ denotes a radical of the formula

or denotes phenyl which in turn is optionally substituted by a group of the formula —NR¹⁹R²⁰,  in which R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or (C₁-C₆)-acyl, or R¹⁴ denotes (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is optionally substituted once to three times by hydroxyl, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)alkylaminocarbonyl, phenyl, (C₁-C₆)-acyl or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, where (C₁-C₆)-alkyl is optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-acyl, by phenyl or by a 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocycle with up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, where aforementioned phenyl and aforementioned aromatic heterocycle are optionally substituted once to three times, identically or differently, by halogen and/or hydroxyl, and R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ are identical or different and denote hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, and the salts thereof.
 2. A compound of the general formula (I) according to claim 1, in which R⁶ represents phenyl which is optionally substituted by one to three substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl which is optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from (C₁-C₆)alkanoyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, (C₁-C₆)alkoxycarbonyl, nitro, halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkyl, halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, amino, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio, hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)alkylaminocarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)acylamino, (C₁-C₆)alkylsulphinyl, (C₁-C₆)alkylsulphonyl, and/or cyano, or of (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylthio, hydroxyl, carboxyl, partially fluorinated (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy with up to 6 fluorine atoms, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, a 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocycle which has up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, is optionally bonded via a nitrogen atom and is optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from (C₁-C₆)alkanoyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, (C₁-C₆)alkoxycarbonyl, nitro, halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkyl, halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, amino, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio, hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)alkylaminocarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)acylamino, (C₁-C₆)alkylsulphinyl, (C₁-C₆)alkylsulphonyl, and/or cyano, or of a 3- to 8-membered saturated or unsaturated, nonaromatic, mono- or bicyclic heterocycle which has up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, is optionally bonded via a nitrogen atom and is optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from oxo, halogen, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)alkoxycarbonylamino, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogeno(C₁-C₆)-alkyl and hydroxy(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, and groups of the formulae —OR¹⁴, —NR¹⁵R¹⁶ or —CO—NR¹⁷R¹⁸, in which R¹⁴ is phenyl, which in turn is optionally substituted by a group of the formula —NR¹⁹R²⁰,  in which R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or (C₁-C₆)-acyl,  or R¹⁴ denotes (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is optionally substituted once to three times by hydroxyl, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)alkylaminocarbonyl, phenyl, (C₁-C₆)-acyl or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, where (C₁-C₆)-alkyl is optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-acyl, by phenyl or by a 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocycle with up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, where aforementioned phenyl and aforementioned aromatic heterocycle are optionally substituted once to three times, identically or differently, by halogen and/or hydroxyl, and R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ are identical or different and denote hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, and the salts thereof.
 3. A compound of the general formula (I) according to claim 1, in which R⁶ represents phenyl which is optionally substituted by one to three substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl which is optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from (C₁-C₆)alkanoyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, (C₁-C₆)alkoxycarbonyl, nitro, halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkyl, halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, amino, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio, hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)alkylaminocarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)acylamino, (C₁-C₆)alkylsulphinyl, (C₁-C₆)alkylsulphonyl, and/or cyano, or (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylthio, hydroxyl, carboxyl, partially fluorinated (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy with up to 6 fluorine atoms and (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, and the salts thereof.
 4. A compound of the general formula (I) according to claim 1, in which R¹ represents hydrogen, halogen or represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, R² and R³ are identical or different and represent hydrogen or (C₃-C₈)-cycloalkyl, or represent (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, halogen, hydroxyl, radicals of the formula

a 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocycle with up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, it also being possible for a nitrogen-containing heterocycle to be bonded via the nitrogen atom, and (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl which in turn can be substituted by hydroxyl or (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, or R² and R³ form, together with the nitrogen atom, a 5- to 6-membered saturated heterocycle which optionally also has an oxygen atom, R⁴ represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-acyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl or R⁴ represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-acyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, phenoxy, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and —NR⁷R⁸, in which R⁷ and R⁸ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-acyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)-alkylaminocarbonyl or (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, or R⁷ and R⁸ form, together with the nitrogen atom, a 5- to 6-membered saturated heterocycle which optionally contains another heteroatom from the series S or O or a radical of the formula —NR⁹, in which R⁹ denotes hydrogen or (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, or R⁴ represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is substituted by a 5- to 6-membered aromatic, optionally benzo-fused heterocycle with up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, it being possible for a nitrogen-containing heterocycle also to be bonded via the nitrogen atom, or is substituted by radicals of the formulae

 in which R¹⁰ denotes hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, R¹¹ and R¹² are identical or different and denote hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl, where aforementioned (C₁-C₆)-alkyl and (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl is optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy and halogen, R⁵ represents hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, R⁶ represents a radical of the formula

or R⁶ represents phenyl which is optionally substituted by one to two substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylthio, hydroxyl, carboxyl, partially fluorinated (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy with up to 6 fluorine atoms, radicals of the formulae

 in which R¹³ denotes hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, which is optionally substituted by a radical of the formula

a 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocycle which has up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, is optionally bonded via a nitrogen atom and is optionally substituted by one to three halogen atoms, a 3- to 8-membered, saturated or unsaturated, nonaromatic heterocycle which has up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, is optionally bonded via a nitrogen atom and is optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from oxo, halogen, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogeno(C₁-C₆)-alkyl and hydroxy(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, and groups of the formulae —OR¹⁴, —NR¹⁵R¹⁶ or —CO—NR¹⁷R¹⁸,  in which R¹⁴ denotes a radical of the formula

 or phenyl which in turn is optionally substituted by a group of the formula —NR¹⁹R²⁰,  in which R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or (C₁-C₆)-acyl,  or R¹⁴ denotes (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is optionally substituted once to three times by hydroxyl, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)alkylaminocarbonyl, phenyl, (C₁-C₆)-acyl or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, where (C₁-C₆)-alkyl is optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-acyl, by phenyl or by a 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocycle with up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, where aforementioned phenyl and aforementioned aromatic heterocycle are optionally substituted once to three times, identically or differently, by halogen and/or hydroxyl, and R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ are identical or different and denote hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, and the salts thereof.
 5. A compound of the general formula (I) according to claim 4, in which R¹ represents hydrogen, chlorine or represents (C₁-C₃)-alkyl, R² and R³ are identical or different and represent hydrogen or cyclopropyl or cyclopentyl, or represent (C₁-C₃)-alkyl which is optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, (C₁-C₃)-alkoxy, chlorine, fluorine, hydroxyl, radicals of the formula

 and pyridyl, furyl, thienyl, imidazolyl, N-triazolyl or pyrrolyl, phenyl which in turn may be substituted by hydroxyl or (C₁-C₃)-alkoxy, or R² and R³ form, together with the nitrogen atom, a morpholine, piperidine or pyrrolidine ring, R⁴ represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₃)-acyl, (C₂-C₃)-alkenyl, or R⁴ represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of chlorine, fluorine, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₃)-acyl, (C₁-C₃)-alkoxy, phenoxy, phenyl and —NR⁷R⁸, in which R⁷ and R⁸ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, (C₁-C₄)-acyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₃)-alkylaminocarbonyl or (C₁-C₄)-alkoxycarbonyl, or R⁷ and R⁸ form, together with the nitrogen atom, a morpholino, piperidinyl or pyrrolidinyl ring, or R⁴ represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is substituted by a 5- to 6-membered aromatic, optionally benzo-fused heterocycle with up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, it also being possible for a nitrogen-containing heterocycle to be bonded via the nitrogen atom, or is substituted by radicals of the formulae

 in which R¹⁰ denotes hydrogen or (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, R¹¹ and R¹² are identical or different and denote hydrogen, (C₁-C₃)-alkyl or phenyl, where aforementioned (C₁-C₃)-alkyl and phenyl is optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, (C₁-C₃)-alkoxy, chlorine and fluorine, R⁵ represents hydrogen or (C₁-C₃)-alkyl, R⁶ represents phenyl which is optionally substituted by one to two substituents selected from the group consisting of chlorine, fluorine, phenyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₃)-alkylthio, hydroxyl, carboxyl, partially fluorinated (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy with up to 5 fluorine atoms, radicals of the formulae

 in which R¹³ denotes hydrogen or (C₁-C₃)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is optionally substituted by a radical of the formula

triazolyl, morpholino, thiomorpholino, piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, azacycloheptanyl, azacyclobutanyl, each of which is optionally substituted by 1 to 2 substituents selected from oxo, chlorine, fluorine, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₃)-alkyl, chloro- or fluoro(C₁-C₃)-alkyl and hydroxy(C₁-C₄)-alkyl,

and groups of the formulae —OR⁴, —NR¹⁵R¹⁶ or —CO—NR¹⁷R¹⁸,  in which R¹⁴ denotes a radical of the formula

 or phenyl which is in turn optionally substituted by a group of the formula —NR¹⁹R²⁰,  in which R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, (C₁-C₃)-alkyl or (C₁-C₃)-acyl, or R¹⁴ denotes (C₁-C₄)-alkyl which is optionally substituted once to three times by hydroxyl, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₃)alkylaminocarbonyl, phenyl, (C₁-C₃)-acyl or (C₁-C₃)-alkyl, where (C₁-C₃)-alkyl is optionally substituted by (C₁-C₃)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₃)-acyl, by phenyl or pyridyl, where aforementioned phenyl and aforementioned pyridyl are optionally substituted once to twice, identically or differently, by chlorine, fluorine and/or hydroxyl, and R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ are identical or different and denote hydrogen or (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, and the salts thereof.
 6. A compound of the general formula (I) according to claim 1, in which R⁵ is hydrogen.
 7. A compound of the general formula (I) according to claim 1, in which R² and R³ are hydrogen or (C₁-C₃)alkyl.
 8. A compound of the general formula (I) according to claim 1, in which R⁶ is a para-substituted phenyl group.
 9. A compound according to claim 1, which has the following formula:

in which R¹ to R⁵ are as defined above, and R²¹ represents halogen, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl which is optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from (C₁-C₆)alkanoyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, (C₁-C₆)alkoxycarbonyl, nitro, halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkyl, halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, amino, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio, hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)alkylaminocarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)acylamino, (C₁-C₆)alkylsulphinyl, (C₁-C₆)alkylsulphonyl, and/or cyano, or (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylthio, hydroxyl, carboxyl, partially fluorinated (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy with up to 6 fluorine atoms, radicals of the formulae

 in which R¹³ denotes hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is optionally substituted by a radical of the formula

a 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocycle which has up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, is optionally bonded via a nitrogen atom and is optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from (C₁-C₆)alkanoyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen, (C₁-C₆)alkoxycarbonyl, nitro, halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkyl, halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, amino, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio, hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)alkylaminocarbonyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)acylamino, (C₁-C₆)alkylsulphinyl, (C₁-C₆)alkylsulphonyl, and/or cyano, a 3- to 8-membered saturated or unsaturated, nonaromatic mono- or bicyclic heterocycle which has up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, is optionally bonded via a nitrogen atom and is optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from oxo, halogen, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonylamino, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogeno(C₁-C₆)-alkyl and hydroxy(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, and groups of the formulae —OR¹⁴, —NR¹⁵R¹⁶ or —CO—NR¹⁷R¹⁸,  in which R¹⁴ denotes a radical of the formula

or denotes phenyl which in turn is optionally substituted by a group of the formula —NR¹⁹R²⁰,  in which R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or (C₁-C₆)-acyl, or R¹⁴ denotes (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is optionally substituted once to three times by hydroxyl, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)alkylaminocarbonyl, phenyl, (C₁-C₆)-acyl or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, where (C₁-C₆)-alkyl is optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-acyl, by phenyl or by a 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocycle with up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, where aforementioned phenyl and aforementioned aromatic heterocycle are optionally substituted once to three times, identically or differently, by halogen and/or hydroxyl, and R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ are identical or different and denote hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, and salts thereof R²² may have the above meaning of R²¹ and may be identical to or different from the latter, or R²² is hydrogen, and their salts.
 10. A compound according to claim 4, which has the following formula:

in which R¹ to R⁵ are as defined above, and R²¹ represents halogen, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylthio, hydroxyl, carboxyl, partially fluorinated (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy with up to 6 fluorine atoms, radicals of the formulae

 in which R¹³ denotes hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is optionally substituted by a radical of the formula

a 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocycle which has up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, is optionally bonded via a nitrogen atom and is optionally substituted by one to three halogen atoms, a 3- to 8-membered saturated or unsaturated, nonaromatic heterocycle which has up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, is optionally bonded via a nitrogen atom and is optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from oxo, halogen, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogeno(C₁-C₆)-alkyl and hydroxy(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, or represents groups of the formulae —OR¹⁴, —NR¹⁵R¹⁶ or —CO—NR¹⁷R¹⁸,  in which R¹⁴ denotes a radical of the formula

or denotes phenyl which in turn is optionally substituted by a group of the formula —NR¹⁹R²⁰,  in which R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or (C₁-C₆)-acyl, or R¹⁴ denotes (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is optionally substituted once to three times by hydroxyl, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)alkylaminocarbonyl, phenyl, (C₁-C₆)-acyl or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, where (C₁-C₆)-alkyl is optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-acyl, by phenyl or by a 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocycle with up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, where aforementioned phenyl and aforementioned aromatic heterocycle are optionally substituted once to three times, identically or differently, by halogen and/or hydroxyl, and R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ are identical or different and denote hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, and R²² may have the above meaning of R²¹ and may be identical to or different from the latter, or R²² is hydrogen.
 11. A compound according to claim 9, in which R²² is hydrogen.
 12. A compound according to claim 10, in which R²¹ represents phenyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy or a 3- to 8-membered saturated or unsaturated, nonaromatic heterocycle which has up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, is optionally bound via a nitrogen atom and may optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from oxo, halogen, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkyl and hydroxy(C₁-C₆)-alkyl.
 13. A compound of the general formula (II)

in which R¹ represents hydrogen, halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, amino(C₁-C₆)alkyl or halogeno(C₁-C₆)alkyl, R² and R³ are identical or different and represent hydrogen, (C₃-C₈)-cycloalkyl or biphenylylaminocarbonyl, or represent (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, halogen, hydroxyl, radicals of the formula

a 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocycle with up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, it also being possible for a nitrogen-containing heterocycle to be bonded via the nitrogen atom, a 3- to 8-membered saturated or unsaturated, nonaromatic heterocycle which has up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O and is optionally bonded via a nitrogen atom, and (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl which in turn may be substituted by hydroxyl or (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, or R² and R³ form, together with the nitrogen atom, a 5- to 6-membered saturated heterocycle which optionally also has an oxygen atom, R⁴ represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-acyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, or R⁴ represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-acyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, phenoxy, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl and —NR⁷R⁸, in which R⁷ and R⁸ are identical or different and denote hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-acyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, carbamoyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino(C₁-C₆)alkyl, mono- or di(C₁-C₆)-alkylaminocarbonyl, (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl or (C₁-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, or R⁷ and R⁸ form, together with the nitrogen atom, a 5- to 6-membered saturated heterocycle which optionally contains another heteroatom from the series S or O or a radical of the formula —NR⁹ and may be substituted by oxo, in which R⁹ denotes hydrogen or (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, or R⁴ represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl which is substituted by a 5- to 6-membered aromatic, optionally benzo-fused heterocycle with up to 3 heteroatoms from the series S, N and/or O, it also being possible for a nitrogen-containing heterocycle to be bonded via the nitrogen atom, or is substituted by radicals of the formulae

 in which R¹⁰ denotes hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, R¹¹ and R¹² are identical or different and denote hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl, said (C₁-C₆)-alkyl and (C₆-C₁₀)-aryl optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy and halogen, and A represents a halogen atom.
 14. A process for preparing the compounds of the general formula (I) according to claim 1, characterized in that [A] compounds of the general formula (II)

 in which R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ have the meaning indicated in claim 1, and A represents halogen, are reacted with amines of the general formula (III) HNR⁵R⁶  (III)  in which R⁵ and R⁶ have the meaning indicated in claim 1, in inert solvents, where appropriate in the presence of a base and/or aid, or [B] isocyanates of the general formula (IV) R⁶—NCO  (IV)  in which R⁶ has the meaning indicated in claim 1, are reacted with thiazolylamines of the general formula (V)

 in which R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ have the meaning indicated in claim 1, in inert solvents and, in the case where R⁵ is different from hydrogen, an alkylation is carried out by conventional processes.
 15. A pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound of the general formula (I) according to claim 1 mixed with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.
 16. A method of treating a viral infection, comprising administering to a mammal an effective amount of a compound of the general formula (I) according to claim
 1. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein said viral infection is herpes virus infection.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein said herpes virus infection is herpes simplex virus infection. 